Turf Paradise: Why Not Be Perfect rides form streak into Fitzsimmons

PHOENIX – Why Not Be Perfect always had ability, but it looks as though the 6-year-old may have put it all together. He comes off two smashing victories to lead Saturday’s $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile Handicap. The mile grass event drew a good field of 11.

But Why Not Be Perfect is the 121-pound highweight for a reason. Owned by J C Racing Stable and trained by Jeff Metz, the veteran son of Whywhywhy has campaigned all over. After a time at the Fair Grounds he was freshened and resurfaced in Southern California last summer. He blossomed there in the fall, blasting tough optional claimers on turf at Betfair at Hollywood Park by 2 1/4 lengths Nov. 10 for a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. He was shipped here for the Hank Mills Sr. Handicap Dec. 22 at a mile on dirt and went one better on the Beyer scale – he stalked the pace, took over into the lane, and drew off to win easily by 3 1/2 lengths under Anne Sanguinetti, earning a 95 Beyer. The return to turf is no problem – five of his six wins have come on grass – and Sanguinetti stays aboard.

Green Secret may be the main danger. Despite being a 9-year-old, the gelded son of Unbridled’s Song comes here sharp as a tack. Owned by Mark Breen and trained by Kevin Eikleberry he’s won three straight, all in wire-to-wire fashion. The streak started on Santa Anita’s turf course at this distance Oct. 21. He then easily won classified allowance grass races here Nov. 17 and Dec. 7. He has won 18 times in his career, 11 of those on turf, eight of them on this course. Geovanni Franco rides.

Gleam of Hope won the Walter R. Cluer on this course at this trip Oct. 27 and was second to Green Secret Nov. 17. Saratoga Boot was a game winner of this race last year by a nose but hasn’t won in nine starts since. He was second to Green Secret on this course Dec. 7 and then fifth to Why Not Be Perfect in the Hank Mills Sr. Dec. 22. Tiz Gianni is a new threat from Southern California as the 5-year-old son of Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo won a strong allowance grass race at Del Mar Aug. 19 and drops after finishing seventh in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Betfair Hollywood Park Dec. 15.